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jonathannacht1

Scirocco TSI Power Loss Due to Faulty MAF Sensor

My Scirocco is acting up with rough running and power loss. When I hit the gas, it jerks and feels weak, plus the check engine light is on. The engine seems to run lean based on what I can tell. Had some sketchy work done at my last mechanic visit so looking for advice on what this could be and where to get it properly fixed. Car is a 2011 VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI with 92669km. Could this be related to the mass air flow sensor or oxygen sensor? Anyone had similar symptoms and got them sorted? Thanks for any input on likely causes and repair tips.

4 comment(s)

wolfgangzimmermann1

I experienced nearly identical symptoms on my 2014 VW Golf GTI 2.0 TSI. The check engine light came on, accompanied by stuttering acceleration and significant power loss, especially when trying to overtake. The diagnostic revealed faulty fuel injectors were causing the lean condition. Two injectors were severely clogged, preventing proper fuel atomization. This is a serious issue that can damage the catalytic converter if left unchecked, as unburned fuel passes through the exhaust system. The repair involved: Complete fuel injector removal and testing, Replacement of two failed injectors, Cleaning of the throttle body while accessing the area, Full system diagnostics to ensure proper fuel trim The symptoms disappeared completely after repair. Poor previous maintenance or low quality fuel can contribute to injector failure. Would strongly recommend having a VW specialist diagnose this, as generic scan tools might not pick up all the relevant fuel system data. The EGR valve should also be inspected during diagnosis, as its malfunction can cause similar symptoms, though injector issues are more common with these symptoms on TSI engines.

jonathannacht1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. This sounds exactly like what I am dealing with. I am currently gathering quotes from different shops. Can you remember roughly how much you paid for the full repair? Also curious if you have had any related issues pop up since getting it fixed? The oxygen sensor symptoms also match what I am experiencing, so I want to make sure they check that during diagnosis. With these TSI engines, seems like the fuel system really needs proper attention to avoid cascading problems.

wolfgangzimmermann1

Had the repair done last week and the lean running condition is completely resolved. The faulty fuel injector was indeed the culprit, exactly what I suspected based on the symptoms. Total cost came to 515€ for replacing the defective injector, including parts and labor. Since the fix, the engine runs perfectly smooth with no power loss or hesitation. The air-fuel ratio is now optimal, confirmed by both the disappearance of symptoms and post-repair diagnostics. The mass air flow sensor and oxygen sensor readings are all normal now. Have put about 500km on it since the repair without any related issues popping up. Getting the fuel injectors properly diagnosed and fixed was definitely the right call, as running lean could have caused more extensive engine damage if left unchecked. The shop thoroughly tested all engine management systems during the repair, including the oxygen sensor, to ensure there were no underlying issues that could cause similar problems down the line.

jonathannacht1 (Author)

Wanted to update everyone on the resolution to my Scirocco issues. Finally took it to a reputable VW specialist who properly diagnosed the problem. Turns out the previous mechanic had botched some work on the intake manifold, which led to air leaks affecting the air-fuel ratio. The new shop did a thorough job: Fixed the intake manifold gasket, Cleaned the throttle body while they were in there, Tested all fuel injectors, Verified EGR valve operation, Full computer diagnostic scan Total repair came to 680€, which included parts and labor. Been driving it for about two weeks now and the difference is incredible. No more jerking or power loss, and the check engine light is finally off. Acceleration is smooth and the engine pulls strong like it should. Really glad I got a second opinion from a proper specialist. Lesson learned about going to shops that actually know these TSI engines. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and helped point me in the right direction.

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